Madison County, Indiana - Chapter 53, 1897

Chapter 53

Robert G. Worth, who died in the city of Anderson, on the 7th of July, 1882, was at one time a prominent railroader and filled the honorable position of General Train Dispatcher for the Bee Line railroad system. He was among the oldest and best telegraphers in the country. From 1854 to 185h he was in charge of the lines of the Bee Line and the old Madison and Indianapolis railroads under the superintendencv of the late Governor John Brough, of Ohio. For many years he served as private secretary and confidential man to the Governor, by whom he was held in the very highest esteem.

Mr. Worth was a man of natural ability at anything he took hold of. and was a man of more than ordinary common sense ; he was very genteel and polite in his deportment, and was universally respected by all who knew him. From 1858 to 1875 he worked at his chosen profession in the principal cities of eleven States in the Union. During the war he was the chief telegraph operator in the .\rmy of the Potomac under Gen. George B. McClellan.

In 1878 he removed to Anderson where he resided continuously up to the time of his death, and was engaged in keeping an eating house and restaurant on North Main street. His wife, who yet survives him, was the daughter of the late Judge Wm. H. Mershon, and a sister of the wife of the Hon. Wm. R. Myers. Mr. Worth left two daughters, the older of whom is married to Mr. Morss of the Daily Telegram, of Anderson : the other daughter is the wife of Scott Bone, late of the Anderson Dciiiocral , but now connected witii the Washington Post.

Hon. William Crim

The Hon. William Crim, of Anderson, died at his home in Anderson on the 14th day of October, 1891, leaving a large estate and an interesting family behind him. He was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, in 1821. In early life he removed to Indiana and settled at Middletown, where he resided for several years. He at one time lived at Yorktown, and was postmaster there, and also resided for a short period at Alexandria. In April, 1849, he removed to Anderson, then a small village, and engaged in the gr^in business. He was one of the promoters of the agricultural interests of Madison county, and was one of the pioneers in that line in the State. He was for many years a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and was for two years President of the Association, being known throughout Indiana for his activity and zeal, laboring to promote agricultural enterprise. For several years he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and served one term in the Indiana Legislature as a Representative from Madison county. He also served two terms as a member of the City Council, and in every capacity of his public service was one of the most faithful and upright servants the countv ever had. In the year 1866, he, in connection with Joseph Fulton, organized the Exchange Bank, and was for many years the sole manager of that institution. Many other enterprises engaged his attention, including mercantile pursuits and banking, and the selling of grain, and he was at one time a partner of the late James Hazlett, in that line of business. In his general demeanor he was unpretending and was very modest in his demands upon the public. In every instance where he was called upon to serve his people in a political sense, it might be said that the office sought him instead of him seeking the office. He was true to his convictions and pursued the even tenor of his way with a fixed purpose and determination. He was a Democrat of the old school and was firm in his fealty to that organization. He had on many occasions presided over conventions and meetings of his party. He possessed, as an executive officer, the distinction of being a man of sound judgment.

He wa^ married to Amelia Scott on the 6th of July, 1845. Six children were born of this union, and all preceded him across the dark river except two, Mrs. H. J. Daniels, and one son, Otis. Mr. Crim will be remembered by the older citi- zens of Madison county, perhaps, as long as any person who lived in the community. Although a man close in his business transations, he was generous to the poor and charitable to the faults of others. He was a strict advocate of temperance, and at times differed with the leaders of his party in that respect. He was a strong advocate of the adoption of an amendment to the Constitution of Indiana prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors, but in his differences with his party, on this subject, he never allowed such sentiments to sever him from his connection with that organization. Mr. Crim was a inember of the Masonic Order, and was for many years a leading member of that society. His funeral took place from iiis late residence on \\'est Eighth street, his remains being followed to the cemetery by one of the largest funeral processions ever seen in the county.

Albert A. Siddall

No citizen whoever resided in Anderson was better known or more generally beloved throughout the county than was Albert A. Siddall. At an early day he identified himself with the business interests of this communitj-, which he kept up constantly until the time of his death. He was undoubtedly one of the most popular merchants that ever stood behind a dry goods counter in this county. He was known by every man, woman and child who came here and purchased their supplies.

He was born in Richmond, Ind., in 1828, and died in Anderson on the 5th of June, 1883. He first came to Anderson in 1841 and engaged in the cabinet-making business, going into partnership with James Collis. After following this vocation for a short time he retired from the iirm and accepted a clerkship in a dry goods store with Robert Wooster, in which he remained about one year, after which he engaged with Enos B. Wright in the dry goods trade. He also became a partner of the late William Crim, who was doing business in the same line of goods. During his partnership with Mr. Crim he was married in 1852 to Sarah A. Sparks, who yet survives him.

He was engaged in mercantile business at different periods with other firms, among whom was L. M. Cox, with whom he carried on business in the building now occupied by the White House, at the corner of Meridian and Ninth streets.

them in evei'ything that their hearts could wisli for. It would be safe to say that he never denied them any request that was at all reasonable. He was a close friend and a genial companion. He was a great joker and enjoyed all kinds of jokes, even at his own expense. In another place in this volume will be given some pleasantries in regard to Mr. Siddall. He w^as a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, and also of the Knights of Honor, who took charge of his remains, which were interred in the Anderson cemetery.

Once An Express Messenger

One to look at Judge E. B. Goodykoontz as he rises in his dignity to address the court in some important case, would never suspect that at one time he was a messenger in the employ of the American Express Company, yet such is the case. From August, 1855, to 1858, he was a route agent on the " Bee Line " railroad, making regular trips daily through Anderson, handling many thousands of dollars, as at that time the banks did not do such an extensive business as they now do, and nearly all the money in transit passed through the hands of the express companies.

To be a messenger on the railroad at that time was an honor equal to being the president of a railroad company in these days. A man in that capacity had a " pull " with all the pretty girls along the road and was a man to be courted by fond and doting mothers. The Judge continued in tliis business until the year of 1857, when he vs'as married to Miss Emma Hazlett, a daughter of the late James Hazlett, of Anderson, when he retired from the road and entered the law office of the Hon. John Davis and read law, after which he became one of Anderson's ablest lawyers, and at one time Judge of the Circuit Court. He was for many years the law partner of the Hon. J. W. Sansberry, during which time the firm enjoyed a large and lucrative practice.

The Tharp Family

It is the pleasure of the writers to give proper credit to the worthy pioneers of Madison county, who braved the storms and hardships of early life in the wilderness, who felled the forests that once abounded here, and who by their labors, have succeeded in inaking it one of the most beautiful sections of the State of Indiana.

way into this locality, none were more prominent than the family of Collins Tharp. Mr. Tharp and his wife were born in North Carolina, and at an early period in their lives emigrated to Preble county, Ohio, where they remained about ten years. They then went to Daviess county, Indiana, and from that point thej' came to this county, and settled on what is known as the Washington Pettigrew farm, in the southeastern part of Greene township. This was in the year 1820. At the time of tiieir removal to Madison county, where fertile fields now greet the eye, was one unbroken wilderness, and but a single pathway through the forests and thickets. One horse carried all the property that these good people owned. They also had another horse on which Mrs. Tharp rode, her husband walking at her side and making his way through the woods, and driving before him a cow and a few hogs.

There were at this period but six white families in the countj- : T. M. Pendleton, Thomas McCartney, .Stephen Matthews, Judge Shaul, Samuel HoUiday and Elias Hollingsworth.

The first year after his arrival Mr. Tharp planted two acres of corn, but, owing to the ravages made by the squirrels, he harvested but a small crop. This was not the onlv trial which the new settlers e.xperienced in their new home. They were compelled to undergo all the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Their dress was of the rudest and coarsest materials, composed principally of coon skins. On one occasion MrS. Tharp's wardrobe was reduced to almost nothing. This was caused by the only dress she had taking fire, and being almost burned off her. To replace it Mr. Tharp was compelled to collect some coon skins, and then he went to New Castle and purchased material for a new dress.

During the second year of their pioneer life on the Pettigrew farm, after seed time had passed, the little clearing that they made presented such an interesting view to the eye, with its six acres of growing corn, that Judge IloUidav became enamored of it and purchased it for fifty doll'ars.

Collins Tharp then moved with his wife farther north and purchased what is now known as the Jackson farm near Anderson, the entire portion of which is now laid out in city lots and on which is located the beautiful suburb of Hazelwood, where the busy wheels of industry are heard revolving from morning till night.

abandoned and all the bodies that were once buried there were removed and taken to different places for interment, the greatest number of them, however, being buried in the new cemetery across White river, just north of Anderson , where Mr. Tharp himself now lies sleeping.

In the year 1838, Mr. Tharp bought more land adjoining his property on the west side, and soon after built a brick house, which is now known as the old Jackson homestead, on West Twelfth street. Collins Tharp afterward sold the property to Andrew Jackson, who then became the owner of this valuable residence, and occupied the old homestead until his death a few years ago, since which time that part of his farm was laid out and sold to different persons for residence property.

Collins Tharp was a very peaceable, law-abiding citizen. He never had but one law suit in his life, and in tiiat he came out second best. It relating this circumstance he states that he had to sell his only horse to pay the costs of the suit. The case was heard in Xoblesville, and he and his wife had to walk through the woods, a distance of nearly twenty miles, and Mrs. Tharp worked in the tavern in that place for their board, while the trial was in progress. Mr. Tharp died in the vear 1845, being then in easy circumstances. By hard work and economy they had risen from comparative poverty to considerable wealth. They left behind them a respectable family, the eldest of whom was Mrs. Ann Allen, the wife of William B. Allen, at one time Sheriff' of Madison county.

These old people were strong in the Methodist faith, and gave the lot on which was erected the first church of that denomination in Anderson. Mr. Tharp was a member of the first grand jury that ever convened in Anderson. He was prominent in business affairs, private and jiublic.

The old cemetery spoken of was on the ground now occupied by the residences of John E. Canaday, D. W. Storer, N. L. Wickersham and others. The last bodies removed from that place to the new cemetery was in 1875, since which time there has been notiiing to indicate that this was a place in whicii to bury the dead.

Mks. Eleanor Godwin, A Pioneer

Mrs. Eleanor Godwin, one of the old-tiine residents of Madison county, died at her home in Anderson, on tiie 1st of August, 1896. She was the daugliter of William Dilts, one of the first settlers of the county who came from near Greenville, Ohio, in an early day and settled in Union township, near Chesterfield, when Mrs. Godwin was but three years of age. She had for her playmates, the little Indian papooses of the neighborhood, and learned to love them as she would other children. She grew to womanhood and married Edward Shinier in 1884, with whom she lived until his decease in 1848. In a few years after the death of her husband she again married the late Doctor Godwin, of Chesterfield, who died in 1865, again leaving her a widow, since which time she has almost continuously made her home in Anderson. She was the mother of Mrs. R. D. .Scott, of Ohio avenue, where she made her home at the time of her death. The decease of this good lady has removed from this county another landmark, and lias caused another vacancy that can never be filled. The pioneers are passing away ; but a scattering one here and there yet remains. In a few years more they will live only in the memory of the dim past ; their time of life and their customs will be only tradition; no human tongue will Vie here to tell the story, as they love to tell it now.

Mrs. Ciiristi.Vn Blacki.Idge

The subject of this sketch was the mother of Harvey T. and Oliver Blacklidge, of Anderson, and John J. and James Blacklidge, of Richland township, all prominent and wellknown people. She was one of the old-time women who knew the trials and hardships of the dear old pioneers who settled in the wilderness of Indiana. She was born in Washington county, ^'irginia, on the 22d of October, 1806, and removed with her parents to Rush county, Indiana, when but a little girl. She was married to Joel Blacklidge, October :26, 1826, and settled in Franklin count}', where they resided for a few years, and ultimately located in Madison count)-, November 18, 1837. Here she stayed until the time of her death, which occurred in the month of April. 1881. Her husband, Joel Blacklidge, died on the :?8d of April, 1847. Mrs. Blacklidge, in her early life, was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, but inasmuch as there were but few members of that denomination in those days in this section of the countrv, she withdrew from that organization and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she was a prominent member until death called her home. In her old age she was of a cheerful, sunny disposition and was dearly beloved by her children and acquaintances, who gathered around her. If all people were to live as she has lived and to die as she died, it would not seem to be a great sorrow to be called away from earth. The remains of Mrs. Blacklidge were interred in the Anderson cemetery beside those of her husband. Her body was followed to the grave by a large concourse of friends and relatives.

Of all the names connected with the history of Anderson that of Samuel Richards, the artist, stands out in singular characters. He was born in .Spencer, Indiana, April 22, 1853. His father, Harlan Richards, was a lawyer of considerable ability and high character. From liis mother he inherited the sunny, vivacious temperament, which was one of his chief charms, as well as the artistic traits, which were to develop into such marked recognition.

. With nothing in his environments or associations to foster a love of art, except the picturesque setting of his native town and the beautiful scenery of the river and hills of Owen county, he nevertheless, from infancy, began to exhibit artistic tendencies, which could not be smothered, notwithstanding most strenuous opposition, and attempts to inake anything, rather than an artist, out of the boy, who loved pencils and brushes better than all the enjoyments and diversions of the ordinary lad.

On account of the lack of opportunities in his own town and State, he early formed a resolution to go to Europe to study, and to satisfy that consuming ambition, which knew no bounds. At the age of fourteen he entered upon a clerksiiip in Spencer with the sole purpose of earning money enough to take him to the Old World, where he could devote himself entirely to art, and see her wonders. He remained in this position four years saving his earnings, but which at the end were swept away by an unfortunate speculation. In the beginning of 1874 he removed to Franklin, Indiana, wliere, on September 7, 1875, he was married to Miss Louise Parks, daughter of Rev. R. M. Parks, a prominent Baptist minister.

Historv Of Madison Couxtv, Indiana

here, he became identified with the people and the interests of tiie place to that dei;;ree that his memory will ever be held in most affectionate remembrance, and his place in the hi.-tory of Anderson be referred to with pride.

Havintjoljtaiiied orders for copies from pictures by the Old Masters, which he hoped would enable him to study one year abroad, he sailed for Europe the hitter part of July, 1S8(). His progress in the Royal Academy of Munich , Ravaria, Germany,

Notwithstanding the fact that lie spent only one half of his time in the Acailemy at his study, as he took the other half for filling orders, which came in faster tlian he could execute them, he was awarded an Honorable Mention on his work at the close of tiie academic year in 1882. In 188S< he was given a bronze medal on his drawing, and in 1884 another medal in painting.

Munich Academy. In ISl^-") he left the Acadeni)', and devoted himself entirely to his original compositions. In 1S87 he began his masterpiece, Evangeline", but a few weeks before its completion in the spring of 1888, the already delicate constitution, overtaxed by the absorption in the work on his great picture, succumbed to the terrible strain.

For weeks his life was in the balance, but his indomitable will sufficiently triumphed, that he was finally able to finish his picture. It was then exhibited for several weeks in Munich, and immediately after in the World's Fair at Paris in 1889. Afterwards it was brought to America, where it was on exhibition in the principal cities of the United States.

From September, 1888, until the same month of 1891, he spent most of the time in Switzerland, where he painted his last large picture, "The Day Before the Wedding,"" exhibited in the Kuust Verein of Munich. He then travelled in Italy, having already visited man}' of the principal cities and galleries of Europe, and seen most of the great pictures of the world.

While in Davos, Switzerland, he became the intimate friend and associate of the great English scholar and author of the "Italian Renaissance," John Addington Symonds. During his residence there Mr. Symonds was engaged upon his extensive work, -'The Life of Michel Angelo Buonarroti,'" in the preface of which he gracefully recognizes Mr. Richards' assistance in the following lines :

" My friend, Mr. Samuel Richards, the distinguished American painter, assisted me with technical and critical observations upon several intricate details of Michel Angelo's work, and, furthermore, enabled me to give the right solution of the action intended in the colossal statue of David at Florence."

Late in 1891 Mr. Richards returned to America, but on account of his health was obliged to make his home in Denver, Colo. There he rallied sufficiently to take the directorship of an art school, which gave promise of being one of the best in the country ; but again failing health compelled him to resign. On November 30, 1898, he finally yielded up the heroic spirit and was laid to rest under Colorado skies, in view of the everlasting hills of the great Rockies.

His principal pictures are : " A Wanderer," owned by Miss Margaret Hamilton, of Fort Wayne, Ind. ; "Blissful Hours," owned by Mr. David Gebhart, Dayton, Ohio; "A Letter," owned by Mr. Blew, Cleveland, Ohio; "Peasant

Stories," owned by United States Senator John R. McPherson, Washington, D. C; " Evangeline," owned by the Detroit Museum of Art ; " Day Before the Wedding," owned by Mrs. Piatt, of Chicago ; " Study Head," owned by the Nationa' Academy, New York. On Mr. Richards' return from Germany he presented to the Anderson Club several of his paintings.

Marion Davis, An Old-Timer

Marion Davis was one among the many early and prominent farmers of Madison county who resided soutli-west of-the city for a number of years. He was a man of more than ordinary common sense and a great reader of public events and a strong advocate of his political convictions, being an ardent Republican. He was born in Connersville, Fayette county, in 1817, and died on the 10th of June, 1888. He came to Madison county in 1839, after which he returned to his native place and resided there but a little while, and then again returned to this county in 1848 and settled on the farm where he died. During his early life he was an active Whig and worked with that party until it disbanded, and upon the formation of the Republican party he became a member of its ranks. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the 47th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1861, and served until Februarj', 1863. At the time of his death he was a prominent member of the Madison County Historical Society, in which he took great interest. Mr. Davis left behind him an interesting family, several of whom reside within the county, and a large number of friends tu deplore his loss.

The Hon. James H. McConnell was for many years a familiar figure in the courts of Madison county, and generally known throughout the commonwealth. He was one of those old-school Kentuckians, whose dignity was shown in every move he made, whether at the bar of justice or in the social circle. It was his nature to be polite, and if in a fit of anger it became necessary to give opposing counsel, or an enemy, a tongue lashing, it was done in the most dignified manner. He never stooped to use vulgar epithets, or language unbecoming a gentleman, even though the occasion might seem to warrant it. He was a brave man and did not fear to express his opinion on any subject. This came near-causing him to lose his life on one occasion, in Centerville, Indiana, in a political fight during the war. He was a Democrat in whom there was no guile, and strongly espoused the cause of that party's battles. And more than once during the war and immediately after, while the blood was yet warm, "Mac,'' as he was familiarly called, came near having serious trouble. But when the smoke of battle cleared away and the war feeling began to clear up there was none more ready to meet his former antagonists with the hand of fellowship than James H. McConnell. He at one time represented Daviess county in the Legislature, and was one of its influential members. He removed from Daviess county to Centerville, and from there he came to Anderson, in 18f>('), where he resided until his sad death, which occurred on the 1st of December, 1880. He was on his way home from his oflice, walking down Eighth street, when in front of the Barter block, that was then occupied by the Exchange Bank, he lost his footing on the icy pavement and fell with such force as to cause injuries from which he died before he could be taken home. , This was one of the saddest deaths that ever occurred in Anderson. He left behind him a witlow and a most estimable family, who are yet living in Anderson. His eldest daughter is the wife of the Hon. W. S. Diven, and his youngest daughter is now Mrs. L. H. Gedge.

One of Mr. McConnell's traits was cleanliness : no one ever saw him without faultlessly clean linen, and h's boots were always shining as though he had just emerged from a barber shop. James H. McConnell will live long in the memory of Anderson's old citizens, and there is none whom the writers would rather remember in these pages.